U.S. patent number 8,983,108 [Application Number 13/944,952] was granted by the patent office on 2015-03-17 for ear headphone.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dexin Corporation. The grantee listed for this patent is Dexin Corporation. Invention is credited to Shin-Chuan Ho.
United States Patent |
8,983,108 |
Ho |
March 17, 2015 |
Ear headphone
Abstract
The in ear headphone includes a main body, an ear pad and a
speaker. The main body includes a first wall and a second wall. The
first wall defines a chamber, and the first and second walls
collectively define a gap. One end of the gap and one end of the
chamber are both directed toward an ear canal. The other end of the
gap is directed toward surrounding air. The ear pad corresponds to
one end of the gap and the chamber. The ear pad conformingly
contacts the ear canal. The speaker is disposed in the chamber.
Inventors: |
Ho; Shin-Chuan (New Taipei,
TW) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dexin Corporation |
New Taipei |
N/A |
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dexin Corporation (New Taipei,
TW)
|
Family
ID: |
52343596 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/944,952 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20150023541 A1 |
Jan 22, 2015 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/380; 181/135;
381/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R
1/1016 (20130101); H04R 1/1058 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04R
25/00 (20060101); A61B 7/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;381/182,370-376,380,309,328,329 ;181/129,130,135 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Zenati; Amal
Assistant Examiner: Joshi; Sunita
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Li & Cai Intellectual Property
(USA) Office
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An in ear headphone comprising: a main body including a first
wall and a second wall, the first wall defining a chamber, the
first wall and the second wall collectively defining a gap, one end
of the gap and one end of the chamber being both directed toward an
ear canal of a user, the other end of the gap being directed toward
ambient air; wherein the first and second walls are concentric
while have a predetermined distance spaced therebetween, and the
first and second walls include at least one connection block
connecting therebetween; wherein the first wall is configured to
resemble a cup, the end directed toward the ear canal forms a
curved portion, and the curved portion is formed with an outlet;
wherein one end of the second wall that is directed toward the ear
canal has a adapter portion, the other end thereof has a tube
portion, the adapter portion resembles a funnel and has a sound
channel directed toward the ear canal, the other end of the adapter
portion is formed with a tapered portion, the curved portion of the
first wall is disposed in the tapered portion, the outlet
corresponds to one end of the sound channel; an ear pad
corresponding to one end of the gap and the chamber, the ear pad
conformingly contacting the ear canal, wherein the ear pad sleeves
the sound channel; and a speaker disposed in the chamber.
2. The in ear headphone according to claim 1, wherein one end of
the first wall and one end of the second wall, which are both
directed toward the ear canal, form a connection tube, the gap and
the chamber are each formed with an opening toward the connection
tube, and the ear pad sleeves the connection tube.
3. The in ear headphone according to claim 1, further comprising a
dust-proof paper disposed on one end of the gap that is directed
toward the ambient air.
4. The in ear headphone according to claim 1, wherein the main body
includes a lid disposed on one end of the chamber that is directed
toward the ambient air.
5. The in ear headphone according to claim 4, wherein the lid is
formed with an aperture, and the speaker includes a cord going
through the aperture.
6. The in ear headphone according to claim 1, further comprising a
mobile lid movably disposed on one end of the gap that is directed
toward ambient air.
7. The in ear headphone according to claim 1, wherein the first
wall extends from the outlet to form an inner tube directed toward
the ear canal, the adapter portion further includes a ring portion
arranged between the tapered portion and the sound channel, the
inner tube is disposed in the ring portion, and the outer diameter
of the inner tube is smaller than the inner diameter of the ring
portion.
8. The in ear headphone according to claim 7, wherein the inner
diameter of the ring portion is larger than the inner diameter of
the sound channel.
9. The in ear headphone according to claim 7, wherein the inner
diameter of the inner tube is reduced toward the ear canal.
10. The in ear headphone according to claim 7, further comprising a
tuning paper disposed on the ring portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The instant disclosure relates to an in ear headphone; in
particular, to an in ear headphone communicable to the ambient
sound by a channel.
2. Description of Related Art
In ear headphones allow audio components to be inserted to the ear
canal. However, the in ear headphone provides audio insulation once
a user puts on the earphone and the ambient sound is blocked. If a
user uses the earphone when walking, the traditional in ear
headphone isolates the listener from external sound, for example,
horn, and it may lead to traffic accident.
To address the above issues, the inventor strives via associated
experience and research to present the instant disclosure, which
can effectively improve upon the limitation described above.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant disclosure provides an in ear headphone communicable to
the ambient sound.
According to one exemplary embodiment of the instant disclosure,
the in ear headphone includes a main body, an ear pad and a
speaker. The main body includes a first wall and a second wall. The
first wall defines a chamber, and the first and second walls
collectively define a gap. One end of the gap and one end of the
chamber are both directed toward an ear canal. The other end of the
gap is directed toward ambient air. The ear pad corresponds to one
end of the gap and the chamber. The ear pad conformingly contacts
the ear canal. The speaker is disposed in the chamber.
The in ear headphone permits ambient sound even when wearing the
earphone.
In order to further understand the instant disclosure, the
following embodiments are provided along with illustrations to
facilitate the appreciation of the instant disclosure; however, the
appended drawings are merely provided for reference and
illustration, without any intention to be used for limiting the
scope of the instant disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an in ear headphone of
the instant disclosure;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view from another viewing point
of the in ear headphone of the instant disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view along A-A of FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view along A-A of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view along B-B of FIG.
1;
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view along B-B of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a schematic assembly diagram illustrating a main body of
the in ear headphone of the instant disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view illustrating an embodiment of
the in ear headphone of the instant disclosure;
FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view along C-C of FIG. 8;
and
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view along C-C of FIG.
8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned illustrations and following detailed
descriptions are exemplary for the purpose of further explaining
the scope of the instant disclosure. Other objectives and
advantages related to the instant disclosure will be illustrated in
the subsequent descriptions and appended drawings.
Please refer to FIG. 1 showing an exploded perspective view of an
in ear headphone 1 of the instant disclosure. The in ear headphone
1 includes a main body 10, an ear pad 20 and a speaker 30
(referring to FIG. 4). The speaker 30 is disposed in the main body
10 (referring to FIG. 4). The ear pad 20 is formed with an opening
21 (referring to FIG. 2). The ear pad 20 encloses one end of the
main body 10 through the opening 21. The ear pad 20 can be plugged
into the user's ear canal (not shown) and the sound from the
speaker 30 passes through the opening 21 to the user. The ear pad
20 is made of flexible and soft materials, for example, silicone
gel or high density sponge. The material can be chosen according to
cost, sound quality, comfort and the other associated factors. The
contour of the ear pad 20 conformingly contacts the listener's ear
canal. Because of the material of the ear pad 20, the ear pad 20
firmly and comfortably secures the earphone to the ear canal and
cancels off ambient noise.
For clarity, the speaker 30 is shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 10. The ear
pad 20 is not shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 9 but FIGS. 4, 6 and 10.
FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view from another viewing
point of the in ear headphone of the instant disclosure. Referring
to FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body 10 includes a first wall 11, a
second wall 12, a lid 16 and a plurality of connection blocks 17.
The connection blocks 17 connect the first and second walls 11, 12
and a gap 14 is formed therebetween. The first wall 11 defines a
chamber 13. The gap 14 and the chamber 13 communicate sound toward
the ear canal. One end of the gap 14 is communicable to external
environment and therefore the ambient sound can be delivered
therefrom. The lid 16 covers one end of the chamber 13 that is
directed toward the ambient air.
In a first embodiment of the instant disclosure, the first and
second walls 11, 12 are substantially concentric. The first wall 11
is spaced apart from the second wall 12 and the gap 14 is formed.
The first wall 11 defines the chamber 13.
FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view along A-A of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view along A-A of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first wall 11 is substantially
tubular and the chamber 13 is defined by the tubular first wall 11.
Each of the two ends of the first wall 11 is not sealed and as a
result the chamber 13 opens at the two ends. However, the lid 16
seals one end of the first wall 11 that directs toward the ambient
air. The first wall 11 is reduced toward the ear canal to form a
curved portion 111. The curved portion 111 does not close the first
wall 111 and therefore defines an outlet 112. An inner tube 113 is
formed by the extension of the first wall 11 from the outlet 112
toward the ear canal. The inner diameter of the outlet 112 is
smaller than that of the chamber 13 while the inner tube 113 is
further reduced toward the ear canal to concentrate the sound
wave.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the second wall 12 includes a adapter
portion 121 and a tube portion 122. The adapter portion 121 is
coupled to the end of the tube portion 122 that directs toward the
ear canal. The adapter portion 121 resembles a funnel. The adapter
portion 121 has a tapered portion 1212, a ring portion 1213 and a
sound channel 1211. The larger end of the tapered portion 1212 is
coupled to the tube portion 122. The smaller end of the tapered
portion 1212 extends toward the ear canal to form the ring portion
1213. The ring portion 1213 further extends toward the direction of
ear channel to form the sound channel 1211. The ring portion 1213
has an inner diameter substantially similar to the smallest inner
diameter of the tapered portion 1212 while the sound channel 1211
has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the ring
portion 1213. In the instant embodiment, a step 1214 is formed
proximate to the ear canal on the circumferential portion of the
sound channel 1211. Additionally, the adapter portion 121 and the
tube portion 122 are individually fabricated, allowing easier
manufacturing and assembly.
The inner diameter of the tube portion 122 is larger than the outer
diameter of the first wall 11. The inner diameter of the tapered
portion 1212 of the adapter portion 121 is larger than the outer
diameter of the curved portion 111. The inner diameter of the ring
portion 1213 is larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube
113. Because of the diameter difference between the first wall 11
and the tube portion 122, the gap 14 is created therebetween.
Similarly, the curved portion 111 is disposed in the tapered
portion 1212 with a space formed therebetween. The inner tube 13 is
disposed in the ring portion 1213 with a space formed therebetween.
The space between the curved portion 111 and the tapered portion
1212 and the space between the inner tube 113 and the ring portion
1213 are communicable to the gap 14. The width of the gap 14 is
smaller than the inner diameter of the chamber 13. However, the
width of the gap 14 may vary according to the design of the
earphone.
FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view along B-B of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view along B-B of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the connection blocs 17 are evenly
spaced and disposed between the first wall 11 and the tube portion
122 of the second wall 12. The first and second walls 11, 12 are
then concentric while spaced apart. The lid 16 is formed with an
aperture 161. The lid 16 covers the end of the chamber 13 that is
directed toward the surrounding air. In other words, the lid 16
substantially seals one end of the chamber 13.
FIG. 7 is a schematic assembly diagram illustrating the main body
10. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, the speaker 30 is connected to a
cord 31. The cord 31 connects to an electronic device and transmits
signal to the speaker 30, causing a transducer (not shown) of the
speaker 30 to vibrate. The speaker 30 is disposed in the chamber 13
proximate to the curved portion 111. The cord 31 goes through the
aperture 161 of the lid 16. The ear pad 20 sleeves the sound
channel 1211 through the opening 21. The step 1214 of the sound
channel 1211 further stabilizes the engagement between the ear pad
20 and the sound channel 1211. The driving method of the speaker 30
may vary among coil, electrostatic, armature or the like according
to cost, frequency, sound quality and life span.
The ear pad 20 is conformingly attached to and seals the ear canal
such that the air pressure of the space created between the speaker
30 and the ear canal may vary. The transducer (not shown) of the
speaker 30 vibrates because of the signal received by the speaker
30. The chamber 13 and the space between the speaker 30 and the ear
canal have different air pressure to create sounds and return the
transducer.
The sound created by the speaker 30 enters the inner tube 113
through the outlet 112 and then to the sound channel 1211. The
ambient sound enters from one end of the gap 14 to the inner 113
and then the sound channel 1211. The sound propagates to the ear
canal through the opening 21 of the ear pad. Because the inner
diameter of the inner tube 113 reduces gradually, the sound from
the speaker 30 is more concentrated and the ambient sound from the
gap 14 does not interfere therewith. Furthermore, the first wall 11
segregates the chamber 13 and the gap 14 so that the chamber 13 is
substantially closed to prevent audio leakage. The width of the gap
14 is relatively short, and in addition to allowing the ambient
sound, the aforementioned air pressure may be adjusted as well. The
width of the gap 14 may vary according to the dimension of the
speaker 30.
FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view illustrating a second
embodiment of the in ear headphone 1'. FIG. 9 is a perspective
cross-sectional view along C-C of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a schematic
cross-sectional view along C-C of FIG. 8. Referring to FIGS. 8, 9
and 10, in the second embodiment, the first wall 11 of the main
body 10' defines the chamber 13. The second wall 12' bends around
the circumferential portion of the first wall 11 to form the gap
14. The first and second walls 11, 12' collectively form a
connection tube 15 toward the direction of the ear canal. In this
regard, the chamber 13 opens to the ear canal by an opening 131
while the gap 14 opens to the ear canal by an opening 141. The ear
pad 20 sleeves the connection tube 15 through the opening 21. In
the second embodiment, the second wall 12' bulges from the first
wall 11 such that the fabrication of the in ear headphone can be
simplified. The dimension of the gap 14 is defined by the second
wall 12' and the size may change according to the configuration of
the second wall 12'. The second wall 12' may extend from the first
wall 11 and the instant disclosure is not limited thereto.
The speaker 30 is disposed in the chamber 13. The sound generated
by the speaker 30 goes through the opening 131, which is defined by
the connection tube 15, of the chamber 13 to the opening 21 of the
ear pad 20. The ambient sound goes through the gap 14 to the
opening 141 defined by the connection tube 15 to the opening 21 of
the ear pad 20. That is to say, the sound from the speaker 30 and
the ambient go through separate routes, the opening 131 and opening
141 respectively, to the opening 21 of the ear pad and then the ear
canal.
Referring to FIG. 5, in the first embodiment, the in ear headphone
1 also includes a dust proof paper 40. The dust proof paper 40
covers one end of the gap 14 which directs toward the surrounding
air. The dust proof paper 40 prevents foreign particles from
entering the gap 14 or contaminating the in ear headphone 1.
However, the dust proof paper 40 is made of air permeable material
such that the ambient sound can penetrate the dust proof paper 40.
The dust proof paper 40 has an effect of tone tuning. Specifically
the dust proof paper 40 allows only a portion of the ambient sound
to enter the gap 14 and to the ear canal. In other words, the sound
in the ear canal is dominated by the sound from the speaker 30.
Referring to FIG. 1, in the first embodiment, the in ear headphone
1 also includes a tuning paper 60. The tuning paper 60 is annular
and has an inner diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter
of the sound channel 1211 while an outer diameter substantially
equal to the inner diameter of the ring portion 1213. Also, the
tuning paper 60 is made of air permeable material. The tuning paper
60 is disposed on the ring portion 1213 such that the tuning paper
60 seals the gap 14 when the gap 14 is defined by the first and
second walls 11, 12. When the air flows through the tuning paper
60, the tone of the in ear headphone 1 is changed accordingly.
Referring to FIG. 10, in the second embodiment, the in ear
headphone 1 also includes a mobile lid 50. The mobile lid 50 is
disposed on one end of the gap 14 which is directed toward the
ambient air. The arrangement of the mobile lid 50 determines entry
of ambient sound.
In summary, the first wall defines the chamber and the first and
second walls collectively define the gap so that the ambient sound
can pass through the gap and enter the ear canal without affecting
the air pressure in the chamber. The first wall extends to form an
inner tube to concentrate the sound and reduce ambient sound
interference. The lid covers one end of the chamber with only the
aperture to allow cord access such that the chamber is
substantially sealed off, and sound leakage is minimized. The
tuning paper is disposed on the ring portion, and the air flowing
through the gap passes the tuning paper for modifying tone.
The descriptions illustrated supra set forth simply the preferred
embodiments of the instant disclosure; however, the characteristics
of the instant disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All
changes, alternations, or modifications conveniently considered by
those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the
scope of the instant disclosure delineated by the following
claims.
* * * * *